KSR Today: John Calipari is ready to talk

KSU-192465 — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

John Calipari has not had a sit-down conversation with the media since Kentucky lost to Kansas State in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament back in March. Over three months later, the Hall of Fame head coach is ready to talk once again.

Calipari will hold a presser in Lexington tentatively scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET ahead of a busy recruiting week at the Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta from July 6-9, followed by the Wildcats’ trip to Toronto for the 2023 GLOBL JAM from July 12-16.

Before a hectic couple of weeks on the road, Coach Cal will provide updates on everything fans want to know about their beloved program. Is the 2023-24 roster officially complete? Who is standing out in early summer practices ahead of Toronto? What happened with Antonio Reeves? When will Aaron Bradshaw return to the floor? Is he ready to name his fifth and final assistant leading into July?

Needless to say, it’s a big one with plenty to cover — over three months of content, to be exact.

KSR will have boots on the ground in Lexington with plenty to come throughout the day and into the weekend. Who’s ready?

UK Athletics announces Hall of Fame Class of ‘23

A new Hall of Fame class has been announced by University of Kentucky Athletics, and it’s an impressive group.

The Class of 2023 was made official Thursday, with Robin Ewing Bodem (gymnastics), Chris Chenault (football), Danielle Galyer Day (swimming), Dick Parsons (baseball/basketball), Rajon Rondo (basketball) and Ryan Strieby (baseball) chosen for induction.

The new Hall of Famers will be inducted during Hall of Fame Weekend on September 29-30. That will be the same weekend Kentucky football hosts Florida inside Kroger Field.

Do you agree with the selections? We know KSR’s own Freddie Maggard is a big fan of Chris Chenault getting the honor.

Thank you UK. Thank you committee. Thank you Mr. Barnhart. This makes so many so happy. pic.twitter.com/EpUcDySQX7
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard606) June 29, 2023

Did you see DJ Wagner on TV?

Were you watching Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce take down Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in the eighth edition of The Match on TNT last night? If so, you may have seen a familiar face on your screen in a nationally televised commercial.

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Kentucky freshman DJ Wagner was chosen as a participant in DICK’S Sporting Goods’ newest “Sports Change Lives” campaign, one of ten Nike and Jordan Brand athletes selected. It’s a part of the company’s 75for75 Sports Matter Grant, where Wagner was allowed to nominate a youth sports organization to receive a $75,000 grant.

His pick? The Camden (NJ) High athletic department, his alma mater.

Wagner’s ad campaign is out and the television rollout has begun. The commercial was featured with millions of eyes tuned in for The Match on Thursday.

#KentuckyEffect

Kentucky WBB releases nonconference schedule

What’s on the schedule for Kyra Elzy and the Kentucky women’s basketball program going into the 2023-24 season? The nonconference slate was released on Thursday, one featuring back-to-back Power 5 matchups in early December against Minnesota and in-state rival Louisville. There is also the Virgin Islands trip that will see the Wildcats take on NC State, Colorado and Cincinnati, along with a home matchup against Boston College in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Take a look at the complete nonconference schedule:

Nonconference

Wednesday, Nov. 1 | vs. Kentucky State (exhibition)
Tuesday, Nov. 7 | vs. ETSU
Saturday, Nov. 11 | vs. USC Upstate
Tuesday, Nov. 14 | vs. Austin Peay
Sunday, Nov. 19 | @ Florida Gulf Coast
Thursday, Nov. 23 | vs. NC State (2023 Paradise Jam)
Friday, Nov. 24 | vs. Colorado (2023 Paradise Jam)
Saturday, Nov. 25 | vs. Cincinnati (2023 Paradise Jam)
Thursday, Nov. 30 | vs. Boston College (2023 SEC/ACC Challenge)
Sunday, Dec. 3 | vs. Tennessee Tech
Wednesday, Dec. 6 | vs. Minnesota
Sunday, Dec. 10 | @ Louisville
Sunday, Dec. 17 | vs. Furman
Thursday, Dec. 21 | vs. Lipscomb
Sunday, Dec. 31 | vs. Samford

And what about the SEC slate? That’s now official, as well. Take a look:

Southeastern Conference
* Denotes home-and-home contests.

vs. Arkansas*
vs. Florida
vs. Mississippi State*
vs. Missouri
vs. Ole Miss
vs. South Carolina*
vs. Texas A&M
vs. Vanderbilt

@ Alabama
@ Arkansas*
@ Auburn
@ Georgia
@ LSU
@ Mississippi State*
@ South Carolina*
@ Tennessee

Crucial year for Elzy and the women’s basketball program. Gotta get it done.

NBA Free Agency is here

Free agency is set to begin in the NBA on Friday, as the negotiating period will open starting at 6 p.m. ET — the moratorium period. That period will take place between July 1-6, with deals then signed starting July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET.

Some of the biggest names? Kyrie Irving, Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Clarkson, Jerami Grant, Kelly Oubre Jr., Fred VanVleet, and D’Angelo Russell (at least in terms of total PPG). One notable name included in the Kentucky basketball realm is PJ Washington, a restricted free agent, meaning the Charlotte Hornets can choose to match any offer sheet he decides to sign with another franchise. Trey Lyles, Hamidou Diallo and Wenyen Gabriel are unrestricted free agents, while Olivier Sarr and Johnny Juzang are both restricted. Kevin Knox has a team option with the Trail Blazers, as well.

It’s also when teams talk trades — James Harden opted into his deal and requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday — so things could get crazy in the coming days. We’ll see if any former Wildcats are on the move.

Until then, all eyes are on John Calipari’s press conference. Going to be a news-filled afternoon.